Advice that REALLY works for those on the 130-110's!!!!!

Well, let me explain. I find it very hard to go from 130 to my goal weight of 115. I know it takes time but I have heard and know of a lot of people who have successfully lost those extra 10-15 lbs. I would like this new topic to invite those people who are being truly successful with their weight loss. Specifically, I would like us to share those things that really have worked for us in concerns to loosing weight. In the same form, we can use this topic to ask questions and hopefully get some honest answers. I would like to stay away from generic answers and more toward stuff people have actually tried and have worked.

Me first!!!

So I am 5'3, medium size, currently 132 with a goal weight of 115. I am currently on a 1200-1300 cal intake and exercise (about a 400 cal burn) about 5 times a "WEEK". I have my down moments when I completely stop counting but those usually never last more than a weekend. I usually dust myself off and work harder that following week. In general, I keep up with my "lifestyle-diet." Even my brothers say that with all the things that I do and stop doing, I should be model looking by now. I agree. I find it hard to loose that weight. I would like to hear from people who have honest and good advice. I am not ashamed or shy in answering any questions at all.

Hi!! guess who! (i'm not stalking you, i swear haha) i'm in a very similar position & would love to share/get some advice as well!

i'm 5'2, relatively small frame though i'm somewhat top heavy if you know what i mean. i started losing sometime around Jan-Feb after I hit 140 (eeesh) but only began officially counting cals about a month ago. I'm currently 123.4 (as of this morning) with an ultimate goal of about 110 (though i will be pleased maintaining anywhere between 110-115).

Generally I eat about 1200 cals (if i go over it's on the weekend) and run/walk up hill on the treadmill approx 4 times a week (biatchita - was that a typo or do you really workout 5 times a day?! if so, i'm surprised you haven't disappeared already!). I also do some ab work and life the occasional weight (though i only have little 3lbs guys).

 I've been relatively pleased with my loss so far but it definitely has been a slow process. I have a vacation to Puerto Rico planned for Nov 11-15 and would LOVE to be at my goal by then. I know these last 10 are going to be the hardest. patience is hard  i'd love to hear what everyone else's experiences have been. share your wisdom!

Do you really exercise 5 times a day or did you mean week? I actually am in a very similar situation except my problem is trying to tone up, but I suppose losing a little bit more weight in my belly area wouldn't hurt either. Anyway, I have no advice to offer at the moment since I am having a hard time getting to my goal weight and staying there give or take a few extra lbs. However, I'm looking forward to any possible advice and I'm glad you posted this topic.

I was 158 in January and weigh 126 as of Monday. I'm 5-even and 39. My goal is 115. I zig-zag my calories but average 1300. Zig-zagging helped me break through a long plateau so I really recommend it. I do strength training first thing in the morning and cardio in the afternoon. I try to mix it up so my body doesn't get used to anything. I avoid white food-pasta, rice,bread and limit potatoes.

I'm losing steadily now and I'm-barely-in my healthy weight range. My concern is that I've had 4 kids and still have a wiggly, jiggly belly. I know I need to make peace with my stretchmarks, but I'd appreciate any advice on toning my tummy.

Sorry guys, I'm in the same boat, so I can't really offer much advice! But I am really keen on hearing some success stories!

 Tomatotamata, I have 2 kids and know what you mean about the stomach area. I have heard that dry skin brushing really helps tighten the skin as it gets the circulation going etc. I try and do it before my shower.

You need a natural bristle not too hard, not too soft. Start at the soles of your feet and sweep upwards, legs, back, stomach in circular motion clockwise, arms-fingers to shoulders then chest towards the heart.

I haven't really done anything out of the ordinary. I'm 46, 5'1" and started at 136 currently 112. I do weights and run. I cook about 80% of my meals. The other 20% is going out with friends where I eat whatever I want. In general I try to maintain a 500 calorie deficit. I'm not a food nazi so nothing is off limits. All things in moderation as they say.

So cooking coupled with consistent exercise is working for me.

truthfully, its totally a pain. i'm like 5'2 and probably between 110-112 right now, started out last year aroudn 118 (gained from college) and it took me awhile to actually lose the weight and keep it off. i am/was a binger, so i started with trying to make my binges smaller and smaller, and binge on healthier things, like graham crackers rather than cookies, etc. im pretty active, runner and i lift weights and play soccer from time to time. anyway, i was recently able to get to my goal weight in japan of around 105, but as soon as i came home i felt deprived and ate my way back to the 110-112 range. when i was really low though i was constantly calculated calories and worrying about it, which isn't fun either. i'm debating with myself right now if its really worth trying to lose the extra few lbs, or if i should just focus on maintaining a muscular 110-115 frame...idk its all how bad you want it i think. when i really want to be skinny, before i eat something that i "shouldn't" i think about it and think i'd rather be thin than enjoy this. when im getting a little loose on my diet, i eat it haha. those extra 10-15 are hard work though, i dont think 110 is unmanageable though depending on your frame and such. i can maintain 110 pretty easily once i get there. another trick is i substiture hot tea for a nighttime snack if im feeling hungry. i put a splash of skim milk in it and fake creamer, it takes away my sweet tooth and fills me up...just did it tonight actually.

I'm in the exact same position as you!

5'2, 132 pounds hoping to get down to 110-115.  I started at 185 February 2008, got down to 150 by June, took a 6 month break and suprisingly did not gain anything back.

I really want to lose these last 15-20 pounds! Now I'm eating about 1200-1300 calories a day, doing cardio (45 minutes of running/walking intervals) 6 days a week, and lifting weights 3-4 days a week. Well, this is only week 1...haha. I lost all the previous weight with little to no exercise, so I'm hoping this hard work will help me shed the last pounds!

Some women only do need 1200 - 1300 calorie, but they are usually very short and petite. So 1200 is not starvation for some women.

Also, slightly taller women needing to lose weight can safely eat 1200 calories. It I not right for every one, but it is by no means starvation for others.

To me, 1200 calories is a starvation level! I am about 5 ‘ 5 and 115 lbs with BMI 19 so 1200 would probably cause me to lose weight! Not that I could ever handle eating that little!

Some women feel perfectly full on that amount - I definitely would not though!

However, all the prisoners were probably fed the same 1200 calories, even very tall people who need 200 or more calories. And they were doing hard labor. So a 5 ‘ 8 person living on 1200 - 1300 calories a day, that is highly active doing hard labor, could easily starve to death.

A very short women, doing less labor on 1200 calories a day, and who happens to salvage and find more food then a taller person would have had a much higher chance of survival.

Original Post by kbattiato:

 (biatchita - was that a typo or do you really workout 5 times a day?! if so, i'm surprised you haven't disappeared already!).

 I meant week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Original Post by valcatraz:

Do you really exercise 5 times a day or did you mean week?

 OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO SORRY GUYS.......I REALLY MEANT A WEEK. I totally messed that one up. How embarrassing. Sorry!!!! I meant 5 times a week....NOT A DAY!!!! OMG, sorry!!!!

Original Post by tomatotomata:

I zig-zag my calories but average 1300. Zig-zagging helped me break through a long plateau so I really recommend it.  

 Can u explain a little bit about this zig-zag strategy?

Original Post by rikaj:

 i was recently able to get to my goal weight in japan of around 105, but as soon as i came home i felt deprived and ate my way back to the 110-112 range. when i was really low though i was constantly calculated calories and worrying about it, which isn't fun either.

 Quick question? If you don't mind sharing. How in the world did you get to 105? What did you do? How many calories were u consuming? How long did it take? Just curious cuz 105 is actually pretty low and although I don't think I can possibly go that low, I would like to hear about it. Maybe there is some good and healthy pointers I'd like to try.

I started in March at 142 (I am 5'2") and am currently at 119 but I stayed at 127 from May 11 - June 5 and it was frustrating.  It's weird but I have plateaued at 137 and 127 so I'm nervous to get to 117!  LOL

I started out with Wii Fit and jazzercise but currently am running 3-4 miles 5 days per week and keeping my calories under 1500 daily.  My goal is 110 but I would be happy with 115 (I think, although originally 119 was my goal and I still want to lose more!).

Running has definately made the weight start coming off more quickly for me!

Would you gals maybe want to make a group out of this? I am 5'3" and want to be 110 - 115 depending on how I feel when I get there. I also work out 5 days a week usually the elliptical for an hour, I am 126 as of this morning, I went on a fun-filled vacay and gained 3 pounds, I was 123, dang, I started at 138 back in september of last year, it has been super slow going. Holidays and bdays set me back, in my family I was always the big eater so it's tough to get out of that habit when I visit them. My sister just recently lost a little weight and looks awesome at 118 and 5'5", I want to look as good as she does but that lucky duck doesn't even have to exercise! I just really need help to stay on track, I plateau at 123 and right now I just want to get to 120 and then I'm going to get a massage and pedicure for all my hard work. But i get frustrated when I do so good and see no results. My bf is trying to be supportive and told me he'd buy me a promise ring as a reward when I hit my goal of 110 so I really want to get there soon!

I think a group for this would be great! I too am in the same boat haha. I am 5'5"ish and right now I weigh 133 (haven't weighed in a while though because I am scared I have gained!) but short term I would like to get to 128 and long term I would like to be at 118-120. I have never been able to follow through with a weight loss plan but have been trying to for like 2 years! I just started my new diet and exercise 3 weeks ago and have seen minimal resluts, some tips and success stories would really help! Right now I eat between 1200-1400 cals a day and try and get to the gym every week day to run 1 mile and then walk up hill for 30 mins. On the weekends I try and run outside but have only done it once!

Original Post by yunalesca147:

Would you gals maybe want to make a group out of this?

ABSOLUTELY!

I have the same problem!!  I'm 24, 5'2'' and currently 128....and I've been stuck here for at least two weeks.  I started at 137 about a month and a half ago.  My goal is 110-115...I was happiest in the past with 110, but that is difficult to maintain for my body frame, and I think after coming down from 137 that 115 would make me ecstatic.  

I'm happy with my loss, but it really should be coming off faster.  I hardly ever cheat, workout 6 days a week (40-50 mins cardio..either treadmill or elliptical) and then do some calisthenics...either my own situps etc. or 30 mins of pilates.  AND I've been very good about eating ~1200cal. a day.

At least we are all in this together =)

http://caloriecount.about.com/s-tips-advice-s upport-g1546

For anyone interested in joining, I started a group for us, just follow the link!

well i was in japan at the time, and exercising much less than usual so i consciously made myself eat much less than usual. i didn't really ever finish everything, and i couldn't binge even if i wanted to because i was staying with my aunt and uncle and they have like no food at their house so yeah. but i am going to try to get back to 107 or so because i think i look best there. good luck!

Omg I understand, I'm 135, and have always wanted to be 125, which is how much I weighed in hs, I'm 23, and 5'7". But the thing is the weight isn't the issue, it's the inches, those take forever!! I try to do cardio 3-4 times a week, and aim for a 450 calorie deficit, I started 2 weeks ago but have lost 3.5 lbs, I think after 133ish it will get hard. I found that running outside was very helpful, but i injured my knee recently so that is out of the question. sad.

I have been reading this book, it's published in india so not available outside, but it advocates the multiple meals a day, and that really is a great approach, annoying but effective. Eat every 2 hours, and small portions. Another interesting tip, eat what you've been eating since childhood, things that mommy or daddy made, go down best, if you've eaten rice and beans your whole life and go on a sushi diet, won't work out the best. The author suggests, to eat foods we've always eaten just in moderation. Also with fruits and veggies, cut em only when your ready to eat, because otherwise oxidization starts to occur and you lose a lot of teh good vitamins and minerals in there, ( this oxidization is apparent in avacados and apples and bananas, but it happens to alll fruits and veggies, so try to avoid pre cut stuff, even if it is convenient. Hope thsi stuff helps!